CHTZ-FM

CHTZ-FM is a radio station in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. The station airs at 97.7 MHz FM, and broadcasts an active rock format with the brand name HTZ (Hits) FM. CHTZ's studios are located on Yates Street in downtown St. Catharines, while its transmitter is located near Thorold.

Because of its transmitter location, as well as its total power output, CHTZ is one of the more powerful stations in Southern Ontario, as it can be heard not only in the Niagara Region, but also in Hamilton, the portion of the Greater Toronto Area that includes Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga, and in Buffalo, New York.

Music

HTZ FM features an active rock format that capitalizes on hard rock, and heavy metal. Core artists include Metallica, The Tragically Hip, Rob Zombie, Billy Talent, AC/DC, Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Soundgarden, and The Standstills.

History

The station launched in 1949 as an FM simulcast of the city's CKTB. The station later launched distinct programming, and adopted a country music format with the new callsign CJQR in 1979. Niagara District Broadcasting, the owner of CKTB and CJQR, was acquired by Standard Broadcasting in 1980.